Unique expression and critical role of metallothionein 3 in the control of osteoclastogenesis and osteoporosis

Abstract

Bone homeostasis is maintained by an intricate balance between osteoclasts and osteoblasts, which becomes disturbed in osteoporosis. Metallothioneins (MTs) are major contributors in cellular zinc regulation. However, the role of MTs in bone cell regulation has remained unexplored. Single-cell RNA sequencing analysis discovered that, unlike the expression of other MT members, the expression of MT3 was unique to osteoclasts among various macrophage populations and was highly upregulated during osteoclast differentiation. This unique MT3 upregulation was validated experimentally and supported by ATAC sequencing data analyses. Downregulation of MT3 by gene knockdown or knockout resulted in excessive osteoclastogenesis and exacerbated bone loss in ovariectomy-induced osteoporosis. Transcriptome sequencing of MT3 knockdown osteoclasts and gene set enrichment analysis indicated that the oxidative stress and redox pathways were enriched, which was verified by MT3-dependent regulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). In addition, MT3 deficiency increased the transcriptional activity of SP1 in a manner dependent on intracellular zinc levels. This MT3-zinc-SP1 axis was crucial for the control of osteoclasts, as zinc chelation and SP1 knockdown abrogated the promotion of SP1 activity and osteoclastogenesis by MT3 deletion. Moreover, SP1 bound to the NFATc1 promoter, and overexpression of an inactive SP1 mutant negated the effects of MT3 deletion on NFATc1 and osteoclastogenesis. In conclusion, MT3 plays a pivotal role in controlling osteoclastogenesis and bone metabolism via dual axes involving ROS and SP1. The present study demonstrated that MT3 elevation is a potential therapeutic strategy for osteolytic bone disorders, and it established for the first time that MT3 is a crucial bone mass regulator. Bone diseases such as osteoporosis often result from imbalances in bone remodeling, a process involving bone breakdown by cells called osteoclasts and formation by cells called osteoblasts. This study examines the role of Metallothionein 3, a protein that binds to zinc, in osteoclasts. Using a mix of single-cell RNA sequencing database and knockout mouse models, the study investigates how MT3 affects osteoclast development and activity. The researchers used various methods, including gene knockdown and overexpression techniques, to alter MT3 levels in cells and observed the effects on osteoclast formation and bone breakdown. The results indicate that MT3 inhibits osteoclast development and decreases bone loss, suggesting its potential as a treatment target for bone diseases. The study concludes that MT3 plays a crucial role in bone remodeling by controlling osteoclast activity. This summary was initially drafted using artificial intelligence, then revised and fact-checked by the author.